We’re the Millers scores big points for a stellar cast and a really original story. This film was a real pleasure and had some great laugh out loud moments. It tells the tale of David Clark, brilliantly brought to life by Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live, Horrible Bosses), and his drug ‘smuggling’ misadventure. He teams up with Rose (Jennifer Aniston Friends, Bruce Almighty) and heads off to Mexico to settle a debt with his drug dealer.
David is a really laid back, chilled out, neighbourhood weed dealer who doesn’t get into any trouble and has no cares or responsibilities. All seems to be going pretty well until he intervenes in a street scuffle between a gang and his dorky young neighbour Kenny (Will Poulter) and basically homeless riff raff Casey (Emma Roberts). The gang beat David up, steal his whole stash and all his cash. Big problems. His drug overlord, Brad Gurdlionger (Ed Helms – The Hangover Trilogy, The Office US), who is more than a bit quirky and unusually obsessed with Orca’s, gives him an ultimatum go to Mexico and bring back a ‘smidge and a half of weed’ to settle your debt. Or you die.
David’s only chance is to pick up this smidge of weed from Mexico, and his best bet is to disguise himself as a wholesome All American Family The Millers. He recruits the reluctant Rose as well as Kenny and Casey, gives them a quick makeover and heads off to settle his score.
Although the story is certainly a first (at least for a mainstream movie with real stars), the movie only really loses points on the general development of the narrative. The character’s development, as well as the development of their relationships with one another, is really quite predictable and the scenes seem almost gratuitous. David and Rose become close, Kenny comes out of his shell, Casey learns some decorum and the whole family comes together in the end. Although this pretty predicable from the onset, it doesn’t really ruin the film at all.
There are some great laughs to be had and some fantastic supporting characters. The Fitzgeralds, for example, play a great part in the story as the authentic All American Family, and do their best to help the Millers when problems strike. Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, 21 Jump Street) does a brilliant job at playing Don Fitzgerald and gets some excellent laughs with some dead-pan quirkiness. There are plenty of rude jokes to be had, and throughout the film there are some unexpected moments that generate some good laughs. The interactions between the Millers and the Fitzgeralds in particular is great, and look out for Kenny getting some great lady action, although not in the way you might expect!
Overall Verdict: ‘We’re The Millers’ is a must-see comedy. The story is original, daringly rude, ridiculous and funny, and the all-star cast play off each other very well and make the whole thing engrossing and wholly believable. Although at times its a little predicable, it makes up for it in the unpredictable humour. Well recommended.
Reviewer: Kevin Van Der Ham